WOJCIECH ADAMCZYK: Effective anti-promotion? Journalistic investigations, journalistic intervention publications, and the image of local authorities

This article examines the difficult relations between local authorities and independent media functioning at the level of municipalities and counties in Poland. In particular, the article explores the impact of investigative journalism and the reporting of interventions to change the image of representatives of local government bodies. The author discusses texts prepared by investigative reporters on the basis of the content of the articles submitted to a competition organized by the Association of Local Newspapers. The image of local authorities emerging from these publications is inconsistent with the image created by government newsletters, which focus attention on presenting a particular propaganda line and which avoid criticizing those currently in power.

Keywords: investigative journalism, journalistic intervention, promotion of municipalities, the image of local government